Choosing Faith and a Bright Future

I love that we have the ability to make choices. Agency -- the ability to choose -- is part of the vast eternal plan; it is a priceless gift offered to us by our loving and wise Heavenly Father.

Last night, I decided to watch the Prophet's message from General Conference. The first time I watched it, I was captivated by his ability to stand even though he was so very weary. I missed some of the message, because I was so focused on him, and worried for him. As I went back the second time, my heart was bursting with the power of his message and my love for him.

I loved every word.

President Monson has encouraged us to be an example and a light to the world. I have been pondering on what that means for me personally. There are so many ways to let light shine. He encouraged us to live our lives in such a way, that light would shine through in all that we do. He has said in the past that our future is as bright as our faith. He wants us to live with light and shine! I love that!

I also watched another talk given by Elder Anderson. He spoke on how faith is not by chance, but by choice. I loved his message, and that we do not just happen upon faith, we have to choose it -- just like we have to choose other things in our life like happiness, and how we will respond to the world around us. Sure there are external forces that press down upon us, but so much of the time we can fight back with the things we choose to do. What a powerful gift Heavenly Father has given us! The longer I live, the more I realize what a glorious gift it is to be able to make choices.

As I put the two thoughts together in my mind, I realized something profound. If the future is as bright as our faith, and if faith is a choice we make, then that means the future is as bright as our choices. Faith being a choice, rather than by chance, means it requires action. To choose a bright future means action is required in order to shine! (It is much more profound in my head, then when I try and write it down.) Basically, we choose the brightness of the future, by how we exercise our faith today.

You may be wondering why I seem so fascinated with the future lately. Well, I am about to make a fairly big change for our family, and it is a change that will shake things up, and make things new. As I have taken the steps towards the change, my whole concept of the future is different. The feelings in my heart have shifted, and hope seems rekindled for a new life, and a life full of light and joy.

What is the change, you ask?

I am moving! And I am SO excited. Yippee!

More to come...